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GAME RECAP: Knicks 110, Lakers 103

That’s how many Carmelo Anthony scored in the last two games for the New York Knicks. After pummeling the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday by scoring 62 points, ’Melo and the Knicks (17-27) defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in a Sunday matinee special, 110 to 103. The swingman out of Syracuse only scored 35 points yesterday, since the Knicks didn’t need him to do as much compared to Friday. His teammates stepped up and delivered a well-rounded offensive onslaught to hand Mike D’Antoni his 29th loss for the season.

The former Knicks scoring champion, Bernard King, said after Friday’s game that he was delighted to see his record broken by Anthony. King told the New York Post, “It stood for a long time, and I knew one day Carmelo would break that record.” Luckily for King, however, his record for most points scored in two consecutive games (103 points in 1984-85) as a Knick is still untouched.

After a rough five-game losing streak where there were reports of Tyson Chandler verbally disagreeing with coach Mike Woodson’s defensive scheme, the Knicks have won their last two. The lights are starting to shine brightly, yet again, for the heroes in orange and blue and fans can only hope that ‘Melo has resurrected the team from another hiccup in their season.

With 38 games left in their 2013-2014 season, the Knicks will need to pick up steam if they want to make the playoffs. They’re currently two games out of the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference and their neighbors in the Atlantic Division are starting to pick up play (Toronto is over .500 and Brooklyn has won nine out of their last 10.)

Maybe ‘Melo will save this season, but if the Knicks want to play meaningful basketball in April and May, they’re going to need to start winning now.

WHAT WENT RIGHT:

The man of the weekend, Carmelo Anthony had himself a rather pedestrian line after his Friday masterpiece. Anthony wasn’t as efficient as he was against the Bobcats, but he did finish with 35 points on 14-of-31 shooting. He made five attempts from the free throw line and knocked down two three-pointers. ‘Melo finished the game with five assists, four rebounds, and one block.

After putting up a string of dismal performances, including a 2-of-11 shooting night against the Nets, Raymond Felton came back with a vengeance, dropping 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting, while dishing out five assists. He also knocked down both attempts from three-point land.

With Pau Gasol as the Lakers’ center for the game, Tyson Chandler went into feasting mode with a double-double on 13 points and 14 rebounds. He connected with Felton a few times on some fancy alley-oops, which included some no-look flushes that resulted in a three-point play.

The gunning shooting guards also wanted to join the party. J.R. Smith scored 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting while grabbing six rebounds and handing out four assists. Tim Hardaway Jr. dropped 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. The two were feeling it and it gave ‘Melo some needed relief on the offensive side of the ball.

In 12 minutes of play, Cole Aldrich has three blocks. THREE!

WHAT WENT WRONG:

The vanishing act of Iman Shumpert continued yet again. Although he scored 19 points against the Sixers on Wednesday, he hasn’t scored in double figures since January 9 against the Miami Heat. Yesterday, Shump ended the game with five points, four rebounds, and two assists. His sizzling start the new year only look like outliers to his rather disappointing season.

The Knicks defense allowed Jodie Meeks to score 24 points with six three-pointers and let Manny Harris drop 18 points. The paint looked open a number of times, including a dribble-drive from the three-point line by none other than Lakers’ starting power forward, Ryan Kelly.

KNICK KNACKS:

It was a star-studded game as ABC showed footage of some celebrities that were at the game. Meryl Streep was shown on the screen and it appeared that she sat next to Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson for the duration of the game. I wonder what their conversations were like.

Mike D’Antoni was booed when he was introduced to the Garden faithfuls during pre-game.

It’s always satisfying to hear former coach and current ESPN/ABC commentator Hubie Brown whenever he agrees when a player did something right.

The Knicks continue their homestand by welcoming in Rajon Rondo and the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.